Birgitta Svensson awarded 2007 Alf de Ruvo scholarship

Birgitta Svensson awarded 2007 Alf de Ruvo scholarship

The Alf de Ruvo Memorial Foundation has decided to award the 2007 scholarship to
Birgitta Svensson for her doctoral studies within the field of chemical
engineering specializing in mechanical fibre technology.

In her doctoral studies Birgitta Svensson, a researcher at Mid Sweden University
in Sundsvall, performed tests that contribute to increased knowledge of what
happens to fibre material when refining mechanical paper pulp. This knowledge
can make it possible to create better models for the development of future
refiners. 

These measurements are unique since no one has previously been able to test
under the extreme conditions that exist in a refiner where wood is beaten into
pulp in a powerful process. The data obtained by Birgitta Svensson provides new,
important input for theoretical models and new knowledge of the importance of
process-related conditions during the refining process.

Birgitta Svensson also photographed the process. By combining the results from
measurements of friction and compression properties, she has created a unique
opportunity to describe what happens to the material during the refining
process. 

The scholarship, which amounts to SEK 500,000, will be awarded at a ceremony on
29 January 2008 in conjunction with the Swedish Pulp and Paper Industry's Ekman
Days in Stockholm.

Alf de Ruvo (1938-2000) was well-known and highly respected in the forest and
paper industry. He held leading positions for many years including Executive
Vice President of SCA. Alf de Ruvo was also chairman of the Forest Products
Industry Research College at the Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, Sweden. He
conducted broad research within wood-fibre based materials and contributed to
the development of world-class paper engineering research. In packaging, his
work included the mechanical properties of packaging and their significance at
conversion and end-use. 

The Alf de Ruvo Memorial Foundation was formed in 2000 from funds donated in
memory of Alf de Ruvo. The purpose of the Foundation is to support forest
industry education and research activities that promote technical and scientific
progress within the industry. 

The Board of the Foundation, deciding on the scholarship, comprises Professor
Tom Lindström, KTH/STFI-Packforsk, Anders Nyberg, Senior Vice President, SCA,
Ingemar Croon, consultant and researcher within the forest industry and a
research council with Professor Gunilla Jönsson, Principal of the Technical
University of Lund, Professor Gunnar Svedberg, CEO STFI-Packforsk, Professor
Myat Htun, Mid Sweden University and Christer Söremark, consultant and
researcher within the forest industry.

Scholarships have previously been awarded to Matti Ristinmaa (2001), Magnus
Berggren (2002), Magnus Norgren (2004) and Johan Alfthan (2006).


Stockholm, 14 December 2007


For further information, please contact
Charlotte Lundgren, Press & Media Officer SCA, +46 8 788 51 29
Tom Lindström, Professor KTH/STFI-Packforsk, +46 8 790 90 35



Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA is a global consumer goods and paper company
that develops, produces and markets personal care products, tissue, packaging
solutions, publication papers and solid-wood products. Sales are conducted in
some 90 countries. SCA has annual sales in excess of SEK 101 billion (c. EUR 11
billion) and production facilities in more than 40 countries. SCA had
approximately 51,000 employees at the beginning of 2007. SCA shares are traded
on the Stockholm, London and New York stock exchanges. For more information,
visit www.sca.com